Forget $400 million – that’s pittance compared to what President Barack Obama actually paid Iran on the sly.

He lied once about paying a ransom at all. Now the lie grows and grows until it’s an unbelievable nightmare for the American people.

New reports indicate the true amount the White House sent Iran’s way, absent congressional and constituent knowledge or approval, was actually much higher.

From the Political Insider:

“The Obama administration disclosed to Congress on Tuesday that it transferred a total of $1.7 billion in cash to Iran around the time American hostages were released this year, about four times the amount originally disclosed to the public, sources told Circa.”

The payments came at the same time Iran freed 10 Americans who were taken hostage in the Persian Gulf, back in January. The Obama administration has steadfastly insisted the timing of the payments to the release of the hostages had nothing to do with each other – that the money was not a ransom payment, as many in the Republican Party have accused.

The Obama administration didn’t even disclose the $1.7 billion amount in a forthright manner, but rather via State, Defense and Treasury officials in a private meeting with lawmakers.

The lawmakers, on their part, thought the briefing with the officials was to discuss the $400 million payment America made to Iran, and were shocked to discover the new amount.

“This is classic Obama,” Political Insider opined. “They break the law and then sheepishly admit that they broke the law after it’s too late. America has a long-standing policy that we don’t negotiate with terrorists and we don’t reward terrorists with ransom.”